Exam 2: Reading and Evaluating Scientific Research

Dr. Wilkins randomly assigns subjects to one of two groups. He is interested in the effects of caffeine on anxiety levels. He gives subjects in the first group an extra two cups of coffee a day for six months. The second group receives an extra two cups of decaffeinated coffee a day for the same time period. Importantly, subjects do not know whether they are being given regular or decaffeinated coffee. By providing one group with decaffeinated coffee, Dr. Wilkins is trying to account for which potential element of the experiment?

The scores on most standardized tests have a __________________ distribution.

Ecological validity refers to:

For security and confidentiality reasons, once the results of a study are reported in a journal or at a conference the data should be destroyed.

In an experiment, the group of subjects to which the experimental group is compared is called the: a. comparison group. b. standard group. c. confederate group. d. control group.

If all of the scores in a distribution are clustered closely together, the distribution has ____________.

Collecting objective data without interference in the subject's normal environment is associated with: a. survey research. b. applied research. c. laboratory research. d. naturalistic observation.

What is the best way to reduce the social desirability bias in research?

Professor Wagner is explaining to his subjects the purpose behind the experiment they just participated in, along with a general description of the results. He is engaging in what aspect of a research study?

The method of psychological research which utilizes a control group, a dependent variable, and an independent variable is a. the experiment. b. the survey. c. the case study. d. naturalistic observation.

In an experiment, the "measurable aspect of the behavior of the subject" is called the __________ variable. a. dependent b. focal c. independent d. control

The survey method of research is ___________ in nature. a. correlational b. experimental c. field experimental d. both correlational and field experimental group

An administrator believes that the placement of motivational posters on the walls in classrooms of academic buildings will lead to increased GPAs (grade point averages) at his school. To test his theory, he randomly assigns certain classrooms within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to have the posters while others do not. None of the remaining four academic colleges have any posters placed in their classrooms. What is the independent variable in this study?

In a single-blind study, the participants do not know the purpose of the study or the condition to which they are assigned. What is the difference in a double-blind study?

Ursula works in an office. One day, her boss tells her that researchers will be in the office to observe productivity. Because she knows she is being observed, Ursula finds that she is working harder than she normally does. What is this an example of?

The degree to which one set of results can be applied to other situations, individuals, or events is called __________.

To study the effect of subliminal advertising on consumer behavior, participants were randomly assigned to either watch a movie with or without subliminal advertising. The group of participants that saw the movie without the ads is called _________________.

An experiment is conducted to test the hypothesis that taking gingko supplements increases memory. Participants are randomly assigned to receive gingko or placebo pills for a month and then their memory is tested. If the gingko group's average test score is 3 points higher than the placebo group, can the researchers conclude that the results support the hypothesis? If not, what do the researchers need to do to determine if the results support the results or not? Module: 2.4

A research method in which the real-life behavior of a pre-selected person or a group is studied at an in-depth level for some time through the use of observation, interviews, and writings (such as letters) is the _____________ method of research. a. survey b. psychometric c. case study d. naturalistic observation

What is informed consent?